Fastener



May 15, 1945. R M T 2,376,167

' FASTENER Filed Dec. 8, 1941 Mn 36 Ire 34 35 3? 1751 Z'snnentor Patented May 15, 1945 FASTENER Robert Mitchell, Detroit, Mich, assignor to United-Carr Fastener Corporation, Cambridge, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application December 8, 1941, Serial No. 422,029 8 Claims. (01. 8536) This inventionrelates to fasteners and inparticular to screw anchors. One object of this'invention is to provide a screw anchor which can be inserted from the top or front of the work the same as the screw, thereby facilitating assembly and speeding up production, and making assembly possible where the inside or back of the work is inaccessible. l

Another objectis to provide 'a screw anchor which has wings which engage the threads of the screw near its base in addition to a vmidportion which engages the threads near thetip of the screw, thereby giving a double grip upon the screw, with a consequent lessening of the chances of the screw becoming loosened under vibration.

Another object is to provide a screw anchor as the head of the screw, the screw anchor being arranged to be drawn into firm engagement with the work in response to the. turning of the screw. Another object is to provide a screw anchor as set forth in the preceding objects which is capable of being inserted through a rectangularaperture in the work, this aperture preventing rotation of the screw anchor.

Another object is to provide a screw anchor asset forth in the preceding objects, wherein additional locking means, such as a spring nut, is provided adjacent the midportion of the screw anchor for additionally locking the screw threads, especially in installations where the work is subjected to severe vibration.

Another object is to provide a screw anchor 'for use with self-tapping screwsand composed of a central portion and closely approaching wings which are adapted to acquire threads from the rotation of the screw and which in turn grip the threads and prevent rotation of the screw at both the tip and the base of the screwadjacent the head. I

Another object is to provide a screw anchor as set forth in the preceding objects, wherein the wings are formed with partially tubular portions at the points where they are engaged by the screw threads so as to, give a greater purchase between the threads and these tubular portions,

' these tubular portions being optionally extensible laterally to reduce the clearance or float between the screw anchor and the edges of the workpiece aperture. I

Another object is to provide. a screw anchor with a central portion and closely approachin wings engaging the screw threads at spacedlocations, and an additional spring lock nut associated with the midportion and connected thereto by means which prevents rotation of the 'nut relatively to the screw anchor.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a work piece with a screw anda screw anchor inserted therein, according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a central vertical section taken along the line 2-2,in Fig. 1 showing a lock, nut applied thereto. r

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the structure shown in Fig.1.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the screw anchor, screw and lock nut of Fig. 1, with the work in section. I r

Fig. 5 is a side, elevation of the screw anchor and lock nut immediately after their insertion through an aperture in the work piece.

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of the screw anchor and lock nut assembly of Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a spring lock nut as used in the assembly of Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive.

Fig. 8 is a side elevation similar to Fig. 5, but

, showing a modification wherein the tubular thread-gripping portion in the wings is extended to reduce the floating effect of the screw anchor.

Fig. '9 is a front elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the screw anchor, lock nut and screw assembly applied to the uniting of work pieces, one of which is tubular or otherwise inaccessible from the rear.

Fig. 11 is a side elevation of a screw and screw anchor similar to Fig. 2', but with the spring lock nut omitted.

Fig. 12 is a central longitudinal section through a screw anchor with pro-threaded tubular portions, especially adaptedfor use with machine screws rather than self-tapping screws.

In'general, the screwanchor of this invention consists of a strip of resilient metal, preferably strip steel, and generally U-shaped having a central aperture and wings bent away from this aperture and toward one another so as to provide two spaced portions for engagement by the threads of a screw, preferably "a self-tapping screw. The free ends of the strip are bent away from one another in opposite directions so as to form portions which engage and space the two members which are joined together thereby. The screw anchor between the central aperture and the thread-gripping portions of the wings is of loop-shaped form with convergent portions which are drawn back into substantially the same plane against the back of the rear member or wall of the work piece when the screw is tightened. The screw anchor at its midportion optionally carries an additional spring lock nut connected to the screw anchor to prevent rotation and loss, and additionally gripping the threads of the screw, particularly for installations where there is excessive vibration.

The modified screw anchor of Figs. 8 and 9 is provided with laterally extended tubular portions on the wings so as to reduce the amount of float or lateral slidability in the aperture of the workpiece through which the screw anchor is inserted. This float can thus be regulated to provide a suflicient self-finding or self-adjusting action yet without too much looseness or lateral sliding. A further modification shown in Fig. 12

provides pre-threaded tubular portions for receiving a machine screw rather than the self-tapping screws preferably employed with the other forms of the invention. The screw anchor of Figs. 1 to 10 inclusive may also be employed without the lock nut, may be employed in uniting workpieces where the rear surface or interior of the workpiece is not accessible, such as in the case of the tubular workpiece shown in Fig. 10.

Referring to the drawing in detail, Figs. 1 and 2 show a pair of workpiece members II] and II united by a screw anchor, generally designated I2 including a screw, generally designated I3 and an optional spring lock nut generally designated I4. The screw I3 is preferably of the self-tapping type, with a head I5 having any suitable slot I6 and a shank IT with self-tapping threads I8 adapted to cut their own Corresponding threads in the portions of the screw anchor I2 which they engage. The workpiece member I0. contains an aperture I9 for the passage of the screw I3, and the workpiece member II contains an enlarged rectangular aperture 20 which is sufficiently large for receiving the screw anchor I2 when the latter is inserted from the front.

The screw anchor I2 consists of a central portion 2I having an aperture 22 formed therein with a forwardly extending tubular portion 23 adapted to be gripped by the threads I8 of the screw I3. (Figs. 2 and 6.) Extending forwardly in the same direction as the tubular portion 23 are wings 24 containing slightly divergent portions 25 continuing in inwardly bent convergent wing portions 26 closely approaching one another at adjacent but spaced inner ridges 2! beyond whichthe free ends 28 are bent away from one another in substantially the same plane. The inner ridges 21 contain partially tubular portions 29 formed therein for engagement with the threads I8 of the screw I3 adjacent the head I5. These tubular portions 29 have outer walls 30 which are spaced away from the adjacent edges of the aperture 20 in the workpiece II so as to provide a certain amount of clearance for slidability relatively to the workpiece. This clearance provides a self-finding or self-aligning action during assembly, namely a float between the screw anchor I2 and the workpiece member II.

The side walls 30 of the tubular portions 25 may be extended laterally, as in the modification of Fig. 8 where the sidewall 3.0a li close to the edges of the rectangular aperture 20 in the workpiece member l I, the tubular portions 29a thereof, (Fig. 9), being extended laterally a greater amount than in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive. By this means the clearance or float can be reduced to any desired amount, or substantially eleminated altogether, depending upon the particular installation. In any case, the portions 25 at the outer ridges 3! where they join the converging portions 26 are separated from one another by an amount which is less than the width of the aperture 20 when the wing portions 28 are squeezed toward one another to narrow the gap between the inner ridges 21 while the screw anchor I2 is being inserted through the aperture 20..

Ordinarily, the tubular portion 23 and the partially tubular portions 29 are unthreaded, threads being formed therein by the engagement of the threads I8 of the self-tapping screw I3 as the latter is rotated during assembly. In the modification of Fig. 12, however, the tubular portions 23b and 291) are pre-threaded as at 32 and 33 respectively, so as to receive the threads of a machine screw rather than a self-tapping screw.

The screw anchor i2 is complete in itself, as shown in Fig. 11, and may be used with the screw I3 without any additional elements. In occasional installations where vibration is excessive, or where the dislodgement of the screw might entail serious consequences, as in aircraft, the screw anchor t2 may be provided with the additional lock nut 14' (Figs. 1 to 10 inclusive). The lock nut I4 is secured to the screw anchor I2 by any suitable means, such as by tabs 34 preferably integral with the central portion 2| of the screw anchor I2- and extending through notches 35, in the opposite ends. of the lock nut I4 and with the ends thereof bent over as at 36 to prevent loss of the lock nut I4.

The lock nut I4 is also preferably provided with projections 31 stamped therein and serving to space the lock nut I4 away from the central portion 2| of the screw anchor I2. The lock nut I I is also provided with a central bulge or dished portion 38 (Fig. 7) formed preferably by dies and preferably integral with the remainder of the lock nut I4. The bulge 38 is provided with a central aperture 39' having a spirally ascending edge 40 with a slit 4I forming a line of demarcation or shoulder between the low and high points of the spiral edge 40.

In the operation of the invention, the screw anchor l2, with or without the lock nut It, is pinchedtogether and pushed through the aperture 20 from front to rear of the rearward workpiece member As the screw anchor i2 is preferably of resilient material, such as steel, the wing portions 25 and 28 spring outward after being inserted through the aperture 20, with the outer ridges 3I' moving outwardly beyond the edges of the aperture 28, thereby occupying the positions shown in Fig. 5. The forward workpiece member ID is then brought into engagement with the win portions 28 with its aperture I9 opposite the aperture 20. The screw I3 is then inserted through the apertures I9 and 20 and forced between the partially tubular portions 2 9, forming threads therein as the screw I3 is rotated bythe screw driver. As the tip of the screw passes through the aperture 22 in the tubular portion 23 and midportion 2| of the screw anchor I2, it likewise cuts threads therein.

Thus far the portions 26 of the screw anchor I2 are still convergent. As the screw I3 is rohasbeenldescribed'and illustrated, it will .be un-s derstood thatvarious modifications may be made within'thescope of the appended claims without tatedstill farther, however, (Figs. 2, andill) the convergent portions 26 l are forcibly drawn approximately into thesame plane with the outer ridges 3|; lying against, the back surface of the rearward workpiece memberll. As the wing ends,28; are, already located between the forward and rearwardworkpiece members Ill and II, this .action tightly clamps them together in slightly spaced relationship, depending upon the thickness of thewingends28. i

While the'screw l3 s being inserted, it may wobble arounduntil it finds the gap. between the ,tubular portions 29, the screw anchor. I2

sliding around laterally while this isbeing done,

due-to theclearance or float between the outer wa1ls-30 of the tubular portionsZB and the edges departing from the spirit o-lf'the invention of the aperture 20. The device is thus well adapted for insertion in blind holes where the workman,

does 'not have aclearview of the rearward workj piece, member ll.

.If ,it' is, desired to reduce this clearance; or

float V the modification of Fig.3 is preferably used, in which case the eXtensiOn of the side walls 30a of the tubular portions 29a partially or wholly fills up the clearance between them and the edges of the aperture 20. If machine screws are to be used instead of self-tapping screws, the modificationof Fig.,12 with the pre-threaded portions 32 and 33 is preferably employed. 7

If the workpieceassembly is subject, to excessive vibration, or if the consequences of dislodgm'ent of the screw would be dangerous, as in aircraft, the screw anchor l2 may be additionally provided with the lock nutv 14 (Figs. 1 to 10 inclusive) The operation of assembling the parts is by'the threads of a screw, said screw aperture.

WhatI claimis:

1; In a'screw anchor. forireeeiving *a screw, a strip of resilient material havinga central connectinglportion with'a screw aperture and bent wingportions approaching each other in spaced ridges at a location spaced longitudinally away I from said screw aperture, saidbent wing portions having support-engaging portions for attaching the anchor to a support said screwaperture and said ridges being engageable by the threads of a screw, a'nd a locking member dis- 1 posed adjacent and supported by said central wing portion in alignment with said screw aperture 3' 2. Ina screw anchor-for receiving 'a screw, a strip of resilient material having a central connecting. portion with a 'screwapertureand bent upstanding wing portions approaching each other in spacedridges at a location spaced longitudinally away from said screw aperture, said screw aperture and said ridges bein'gengageable having pre-formed threads therein.

, r 3. In a screw anchor for receiving a screw, 'a strip of resilient material havinga central connecting portion with a screwjaperture and bent upstandingnwing portions approaching each other-in spaced ridges at 'a location spaced longi-x tudirially away from said screw aperture, and

having semi-circular tubular portions therein,

the same as previously described, the assembly of the lock nut l4, and screw anchor l2 being pushed through the aperture 20 as before. The insertion of the screw through the lock nut aperture 39, however, causes the spiral edge 40 thereof to additionally grip the spiral threads 18 of the screw. H at a location spaced apart from the portions 2 3 and 29 also engaged by the threads I8, thereby gripping the threads [8 at three different spaced locations along the shank I! of the screw I3, I

Since the screw anchor of this invention can beinserted from the front of the structure being assembled, it is' particularly well adapted to the assembly of inaccessible pieces, such as the tubular member shown in Fig. 10. The modification of Fig. 9 provides additional gripping portions for the threads .in the elongated grooves 29a,

said screw aperture and said semi-circular tubular portions of said ridges being engageable by the threads of a screw, said screw aperture and said semi-circular tubular portions having pre-formed threads therein.

4. In a screw anchor adapted to receive a screw, a, strip of resilient material having a central connecting portion with a screw aperture and bent upstanding wing portions approaching each other in spaced ridges at a location spaced longitudinally away from said screw aperture, and having semi-circular tubular portionstherein,'said .screw aperture and said semi-circular thus increasing the holding power. The portions ridges 21 alone were depended upon for receiving the threads. The variety of. screw anchors required for varying conditions is also greatly reduced since a given size of screw anchor will fit several different sizes of screw. It is also not necessary to manufacture to theclose dimensions and tolerances required by other screw anchors.

The screws may be removed and replaced as often as is necessary. Assembly is accomplished with ease and rapidity, due to the floating action of the screw'anchor, especially where the apertures in the two workpiece members are not accurately in alignment or where one is blind and inaccessible.

While a specific embodiment of the invention tubular portions of said ridges being engageable by the threads of the screw, said semi-circular tubular portions being extended transversely to provide laterally elongated grooves whereby to reduce the clearance between said tubular portions and the edges of the aperture through which the screw anchor is inserted.

5. A screw anchor of the class described com-- prising a strip of metal generally U-shaped in formation providing a pair of opposed wing portions connected at one end by a central portion having a screw-receiving aperture,- outwardly extended portions at the opposite .end of the wings to prevent passage of the anchor through an aperture in a work' piece while the central portion is of a size to pass through said aperture, opposed inner ridges in said wings adjacent to said outwardly extended portions for threaded engagement with a screw at a longitudinally I spaced distance from the said screw-receiving aperture and outer ridges on said wings adjacent to said inner ridges, said'outer ridges being i spaced a sufiicient distance apart to require contraction of said wings when passed through the aperture in said work piece whereby said anchor may be snapped into place.

6. A screw anchor of the class described comprising a strip of metal generally U-shaped in.

tions: connected at. oneendbm a central? portion:

having; a screw receiving 1: aperture; outwardly extended portionsa at .:the soppos'ite; :end ::of: :thev

wings to prevent passage of thezanchor through an aperture in" :a .workpiece: while: "the. :central portion is of; a size to pass .throughssaid.aperture; opposedinner: ridges in.:saidtwings'zadjacentv to,

saidiputwardly "extended: :portions; for? threaded engagement; withsa screw at a longitudinally spaced :distance from thexrsaid screw-receiving a aperture andouter; ridgesronsaid wings adjacent. tosaid innerridges;saidouterridgesbeing spaced K a sufiicient distance. apart-t0 require'contraction:

of :said wings; when passed through the. aperture in said-workpiece whereby said anchor may be snapped into, place, and said inner ridges having; partially tubular portions therein providing the 7 means for engaging the threads of the screw.

7. A'sc-rewanchorof the.. class described comprising a' strip vof metal generally" U-shaped in formation providing a pair ofopposed wing portionsconneoted at one end by a central-portiom having a screw-receiving. aperture;v outwardly extended portions .at the opposite "end of the wings-to prevent passagev of/the anchor through an aperture in a workv piece while -thehcentral portion is of a size to pass through said aperture,

opposed inner ridges inv said wings adjacent to said outwardly extended portions for, threaded engagement with a screwat a longitudinally spaced distance from: the said screw-receiving aperture and. outer ridgeson said wings;v adjacent formation providing a .pairI.ofroppose'd;wing.;porev toasaid'inner ridges, said outer ridges 'being spaced a suincient distance apartto' require contraction-'of said-wings" when passed through'the aperture-inusaid work piece whereby said anchor- 5 may 'bexsnapped into place and a locking memberdisposedadjacentto said central portion and supported thereby and having means foradditionalthreaded engagement with the. screw.

8. A screw anchor of the class described com- 10$ :Iprising a strip of metal general1y"U'-shaped in formation: providing a pair of opposedwing porspaceddistance from the said screw-receiving aperture and outer ridgeson said wings adjacent to said --'inner ridges; said outer ridges =being spaced a sufiicient distance apartto require con- 5: traction of said wings when passed" through the aperture in 'said work piece wherebysaid anchor may be snapped into place, a separate threadedlocking member 'forengagement withsaid screw and attaching means securing saidlocking memgow-ber-to the central portion in' alignment with the aperture therein;

RQBERT MI-'I'CI-IELL; 

